Going With The Flow

When a workshop is going with the flow, Fluid Management innovations can be seen to be driving workshop growth.

Behind any successful workshop is the quality of its lubrication systems, and more specifically, the technology to drive it. The right lubrication system incorporates itself into any workshop thanks to smart design, while offering reliability, productivity, safety and lower operating costs.

Lubrication systems have come a long way in recent years, most notably their ability to wirelessly communicate between all aspects of the workshops’ lubrication structure. These new systems can literally ‘talk’ to each other delivering efficiencies throughout the process flow of a workshop.

Here’s a quick overview of the lubrication system theory:

A workshop technician inputs a work order

The technology components of the management system start ‘talking’ to each other to authorise dispensing

The technician receives the exact fluid requirements needed to quickly and efficiently complete the work order without unnecessary wastage

The technology system monitors the work, then recognises completion

The system then communicates it is ready to bill, while double checking the current tank levels

Should the tank levels be below a preset figure, the system will then ensure an order is placed to replenish fluid to maintain inventory levels

The system then reports on all aspects of the work flow to deliver high quality reporting on everything from issues within the system, to accurate usage, client billing, workshop safety and security.

With the right system in place, workshops are benefiting in both time and dollars by addressing everything from lubricant inventory management and cash flow enhancements, to increases in productivity and quality assurance, as well as heightened client service and convenience.

System components generally include:

Management software

Transceivers

Meters

Pump Air Controls (PAC), and

Tank Level Monitors (TLM).

Together, these components wirelessly talk to each other through a Radio Frequency (RF) signal to collect data from fluid dispenses, levels in bulk oil and waste tanks, plus much more. Workshop managers can choose their levels of reporting, and if requirements change, can upgrade as the business grows offering great flexibility. Information is then recorded directly to work orders, tracked by VIN or technicians.

Main benefits of installing a new lubrication system include:

Digitally captured, monitored and reported inventory control

Reductions in dispensing time, increasing throughput

Immediate decreases in waste

Quantifiable increases in productivity

Accuracy of accounting from ordering through to billing

Noticeable increases in revenue

Easy to install and designed with modular flexibility, these cost saving, productivity increasing systems can grow with a business, offering cost benefits in both the short and long term and generally speaking, a modular system as described above will pay for itself within a year of purchase.

In today’s competitive market, a dedicated fluid management system is fast becoming a must have for busy workshops that are serious about their cost efficiencies, safety, productivity, customer service and the bottom line.